Fantasy Preview: WR Ja’Lynn Polk
New England’s Ja’Lynn Polk is a rookie wide receiver flying significantly under the radar. The Patriots selected Polk in round 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, making him the tenth wide receiver off the board. A 2020 three-star recruit out of high school, he committed to Texas Tech before transferring to Washington in 2021, spending three seasons with the Huskies. Second-round draft capital and a clear route to playing time in year 1 make him an intriguing prospect in PPR formats.
Top College Production
After a solid freshman season with Texas Tech, which resulted in 28 receptions for 264 receiving yards and two touchdowns, Polk transferred to Washington. After a poor 2021 season due to some questionable offensive play calling, he showed his ability in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Under offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb (Now Seattle OC), Polk totaled 110 receptions for 1,853 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in two seasons. Polk was an integral part of the offense that helped Washington to the 2024 National Title game, stepping up when Jalen McMillan was out injured for several games.
Training Camp Buzz
If you glance at the Patriots’ wide receiver room, you would likely conclude it’s not an exciting position group. However, with no standout receivers in the room, players on the depth chart have opportunities to make statements during training camp. Several of them are doing just that, but if reports from beat writers are to be believed, Polk is banging the drum the most.
Kendrick Bourne, the most productive Patriots receiver from last season, is still on the PUP list after his ACL injury in week 8. DeMario Douglas is the only player who surpassed Bourne in receiving yards, featuring in 14 games and managing just 561 receiving yards. Polk can be at least the WR2 on the team if he continues his productive training camp.
Comes as Advertised
Second-round draft capital is usually a good sign for fantasy players regarding wide receivers. When there is a clear path to playing time and a head coach is bullish about their player’s ability, it makes the prospect more intriguing in fantasy. That is where Polk is at in any form of your fantasy football leagues.
Polk has excellent hands, catching nearly anything thrown within his radius. His route running, which had some concerns during the draft process, looked much cleaner during training camp. His versatility, having the ability to line up at several positions, stood out to the Patriots scouting team.
Head coach Jerod Mayo said, “He’s one of those guys who is much better when he puts the pads on.” Mayo has also talked about how Polk is an all-around player that you want to build your team around. Yes, words don’t always tell the true story, but you get the feeling that the Patriots head coach is very high on Polk.
Trending to Be a Starter
The feeling is that Polk is heading down the right path to be a starter in week 1. Patriots did bring in free agent K.J. Osborn, but during his time at Minnesota, Osborn never took the next step from being a WR3/4 on the team. Even when Justin Jefferson went down injured, Osborn’s highest target share was 30.3%, with an average of 6.1% on the season in 2023. Osborn is not likely to be a significant threat to Polk.
Kendrick Bourne is likely the WR1, but over the last few days, rumors have surfaced about a possible trade for 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, which would see Bourne head the other way. If these rumors materialize as fact, Polk’s position on the team will not be drastically affected. He may see fewer targets per game with Aiyuk on the team, but he could still be the WR2. At the value he is being drafted in rookie drafts (21.0,) that is value if you are getting a WR2. Before the training camp buzz, Polk was being picked behind Ricky Pearsall and Troy Franklin; he is now in front of them in ADP.
Rookie quarterback Drake Maye and veteran Jacoby Brissett have formed good connections with Polk during training camp, which is a positive sign. With Brissett set to start week 1 over the rookie, it’s likely a better outcome to build early confidence for Pol. However, don’t expect WR2-type fantasy points early, as Brissett is not known for big fantasy games with his arm.
With preseason games approaching, we will see how much Polk is used in them. If we see less of him during the four games, it could indicate that he will be penned in as a starter on the Patriots’ depth chart heading into week 1’s game against Carolina.
